“Over all the years, I’ve learned to respect what teammates and coaches have to say about the guys they work with, and I’ve only heard wonderful compliments about him,” Namath said. “And then we get to see him in person, or on the television, or how he conducts himself away from the game, or off the field. The scrutiny that he’s had over the years, and I can’t imagine how the guy could be an angel like this over the years. He’s to be respected for every phase of his life it seems.

“He’s special,” Namath said. “Some of the things in life that athletes, people in the public eye go through, I can relate to a bit. But his career, where he’s been, what he’s done, I can’t relate to all that.”

Surrounded by reporters in the Yankees clubhouse, Jeter noted how things have changed since Namath led the Jets to victory over the Baltimore Colts in the 1969 Super Bowl after guaranteeing a New York victory.